2k/month enough to live in the US?
Posted by uuuhmmmhm@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 84 comments
Pretty much the title.
My country is sending me to get my master's degree in the US. Tuition is paid for in its entirety, and they're giving me roughly 2000 dollars each month for rent and living expenses.
I have a spouse who -depending on circumstances- will try to get a side hustle. I also have a cat who will not contribute, for obvious reasons.
Is 2k enough?
Diesel-the-merciful@reddit
2k. That is poor
MRSRN65@reddit
As you have read, it depends on where you plan to live. In Virginia, for example, you can rent a one bedroom for as little as $1400/month in the rural areas (where you are unlikely going to be attending college for a post graduate degree). And if you are in Northern Virginia, an apartment can run about $2000/month.
snarktologist@reddit
Not even in Arkansas, one of the cheapest states.
Limberpuppy@reddit
Are they going to cover your health care? I went to the emergency room and it cost me $600 with health insurance. Medication without insurance can be very expensive.
KittyScholar@reddit
Depends on where
No-Lunch4249@reddit
Yeah. OP, you're better off asking this in a sub more specific to where you're doing the grad school. Cost of Living varies a lot from city to city, between neighborhoods within a city, etc
uuuhmmmhm@reddit (OP)
Where I'm applying is kinda dependant on the answers to this post.
Bandito21Dema@reddit
Ohio?
Great schools, low cost of living
El_Polio_Loco@reddit
Yeah, I was thinking BGSU might fit the bill.
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
Then you're asking the wrong question.
What are you studying?
uuuhmmmhm@reddit (OP)
Nursing
juliabk@reddit
What do you plan to major in?
_CPR__@reddit
Then post some options of places you're considering. The US is enormous with extremely varied costs of living. You won't get a single useful response to the post if you don't give us actual information.
DrScarecrow@reddit
Do you have a shortlist?
logic_tempo@reddit
Where do you WANT to go? 🤦🏽♀️
AmbitiousPeanut@reddit
I think this would be a great opportunity for you, both educationally and personally, so I hope you can make it work.
I suggest that for each university you're interested in, find out the cost of a typical apartment nearby and, importantly, if the university provides student housing for married couples.
Question: Will your wife have a work permit and does she speak English? Depending on those answers she might be able to earn enough to take you two out of the poverty zone.
mmmsrhjnh@reddit
The problem is it’s probably meant for someone who doesn’t have a spouse and requires their own full space. A college student living in shared living (like a 3 or 4 bed, 1 or 2 bath type of dorm/suite) could get away with like 400-800 depending on where in the US, for rent. But a husband/wife likely wanting their own place (1bed.1bath) probably going to be 1100-2500 for a decent place, again depending on where, for rent.
Husband will need a full time job to cover his portion of needing a fuller space.
The cat may need to be indoctrinated to capitalism as well.
BotherFantastic3264@reddit
Check out the universities you are considering to see if they have married grad student housing/ apartments. Some do, and usually less expensive than off campus. The cat may be a problem though. $2000 will be tough at best.
B_A_Beder@reddit
Consider having your cat sell feet pics
Tankieforever@reddit
r/toebeans
_fenwoods@reddit
You said your wife might be picking up a side hustle. A side hustle implies she already has a main job and will be adding some other work.
What about you, my dude?
The vast majority of grad students in the US have some kind of employment in addition to studies. Your chosen school may have work study opportunities, for starters.
juliabk@reddit
It all depends on where the school is and what kind of visa you have. You’ll both need to work.
L_knight316@reddit
Well, its above the federal poverty level but the lowest AVERAGE cost of living is the state of Oklahoma at 66k per year. Now, I make significantly less than that and I can afford an apartment but its an income restricted tax credited complex, which means a lot of paper work, credit checks, and background checks and I'm not entirely sure how that would work with foreign residents
Jazzlike-Basket-6388@reddit
Is the $2k taxed or is that $2k in your pocket? Will you be able to have roommates?
In my area, you can get a shitty apartment in not the safest area for about $1200 a month, figure another $200 for utilities/renters insurance/etc,, figure about $200 to $400 for food. And you still got to figure out how to get places. Living on your own, you can do it, but it will be tight and not fun.
Student housing would be a better experience, but more expensive and there are more students than places to stay.
thatsnotideal1@reddit
Can we get a photo of the freeloading cat?
Express-Stop7830@reddit
Agree. We need cat tax.
And the cat needs to contribute. Maybe start selling paw pics?
Spiritual_Finish_337@reddit
Locations you’re considering? Also some universities have subsidized housing for their grad students and their families. Look into that?
What field are you in? If science, you can get involved in research lab, in many places you’ll get a stipend
Working-Emergency-34@reddit
It can be done living in most suburbs of major metros (excl. Los Angeles and New York most likely). Think Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL/Austin, TX/etc. have apartments ~$1,000 range making up about 50% of your expenses. Cat will make a squeeze for certain adding on pet rent. Making living expenses more costly than half your income. These areas typically have thriving gig economies; so that should supplement your income well. Depending on your master’s degree; I’m sure a recommendation can be made for affordability.
FancyRatFridays@reddit
Will you have a car?
If you'll be able to select a LOW cost-of-living town, somewhere in the middle of the country, and commute into school by car... yeah, you can maybe make that work, if you live in a small apartment and are frugal with youe lifestyle.
If you need to live somewhere with decent public transit... then no. All our big cities are very expensive. In Boston, for example, $2000 doesn't even cover rent on a 1-bedroom apartment. It would help a lot if your fiance could pick up a full-time job.
Knox_the_Boxer@reddit
It would probably be better to google lowest cost of living states then compare that list to states with education options. Some schools have married housing and some locations have low income housing designed for full time students. You can probably exclude both New York and California from the jump as that money wouldn’t cover rent anywhere near a school. Florida might be an option. My daughter lives in Jacksonville and pays around $1200 for a one bedroom in a safe neighborhood. Jacksonville has both JU and UNF (idk what your major is- obviously that would impact whether or not this is a viable option)
dapperlonglegs@reddit
I’ve lived in two major cities: Chicago and LA. Not by a long shot.
brownstone79@reddit
Rent is going to be the biggest expense. How much that will be depends on the area. You could try to contact the university you will be attending to see if there is someone who can help you find an apartment.
geogrokat@reddit
Avoid:
New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire (actually all of New England), California, Florida (you might be able to get by in Northwest Florida), Hawaii, Illinois (Chicago)
These are just off the top of my head. Alot of major cities are just way too expensive to live in.
ConsumptionofClocks@reddit
Rent alone in a lot of major cities is $1000. The chances of you needing a job are high
juliabk@reddit
$1000 rent isn’t enough to live in Manassas, much less a larger city (it’s a small city).
DifferentTheory2156@reddit
2K is barely enough to cover rent in most of the US, especially in college towns. Your spouse and the cat will definitely need to be employed and hopefully you have a lot of savings.
TheOwlMarble@reddit
That's likely to be tight to impossible, depending on where you go. I would strongly suggest you and/or your spouse get some supplemental income.
Remote_Difference210@reddit
No
Tight_Ad_7521@reddit
Depends on where you live but probably not. Universities are usually in more expensive areas but not always.
noprkingonthednceflr@reddit
It will depend on what your country will pay for. How will health care costs be covered? Electronics? Even if you get student housing or a fully furnished apartment, you will still need some small things with US plug. You need to think about transportation - just because there is a bus or train doesn’t mean it was convenient. Where I grew up, it could take 2 hours on a bus with at least one transfer to go the distance it would take a car 20 minutes to drive.
Areas with better public transport also tend to be more expensive. So much of this depends on where you’re from and where you’re trying to go.
If you share your top 3 choices, then people can help you better
Affectionate_Bad3908@reddit
I’m in Central KY and most apartments are $1500 a month in my area. I had an apartment for $1200 about three years ago. But it was the only one I could find that low and the landlord was terrible.
Maybe if you find a small town near the university. But this is really gonna depend on your location.
blueeyedbrainiac@reddit
Unless you want to go to a college in the middle of nowhere, there’s not a lot of places in the US where 2 people + a cat could live off 2k a month without being seriously frugal. I know you said you’re not 100% sure where you would go, but do you have any idea of where you’d like to go? It would help you get more clear answers
MuffinNo8467@reddit
You’d have to say which University. Anywhere Northeast or far west California would be to expensive.
PotentialAcadia460@reddit
Perhaps if you're in a very rural area with unusually cheap cost of living.
But I'm in a mid-sized city with my state's most prestigious University and I'm paying about $1500/month.
manderifffic@reddit
The cat's going to need to contribute
Ceorl_Lounge@reddit
Dead bird futures are down sadly, cat will still need a side hustle.
Humble_Brilliant_192@reddit
2000k for 1 person can be good depending on what your housing will look like.
I live alone and rent is 800 a month
I make 2200 a month and still feel like im barely making it half the time
jckipps@reddit
Check the details on your and your wife's visas, before assuming that side jobs will be possible. The chances are good that a student visa will not allow you to earn any income while here in the states.
MISProf@reddit
No not really: in my little town an apartment will run $800+ but in most larger college towns you’ll need to spend much more. One of my kids pays close to $1500 a month but doesn’t have to drive. Could save a bit by living on the other side of town but parking permit and gas would eat up that difference. Another pays almost $1000.
If you have a car and car drive or have other transportation you may be able to stay in a lower cost area. But again it depends on which city.
Did you plan to eat?
reflectorvest@reddit
This is a massive “it depends”. For example, I pay less now for a 2-bedroom apartment than I did 2 years ago for a room in someone’s house. Both places are college town/university adjacent.
dangleicious13@reddit
Consider asking about on-campus apartments. Would likely be much cheaper than a regular apartment.
Double-Award-4190@reddit
Think about maybe editing your original post to tell us where you will be.
That has a lot to do with it.
There are many excellent universities in very affordable areas, but there are also many universities located in neighbourhoods where your $2,000 won't even pay the rent.
uuuhmmmhm@reddit (OP)
I haven't decided yet 😥
Dubricna@reddit
Tell us your candidates!
Padgetts-Profile@reddit
Everyone mentioning location has a great point, but I’ve lived all over and $2k/mo wouldn’t be sufficient for a couple with a pet anywhere. There are places where you could scrape by, but scraping by is all you’ll be doing.
emmasdad01@reddit
Depends on where, what your spouse is making, lifestyle
ladymacb29@reddit
Rhymes probably won’t be able to work much if at all if they come on a student visa.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
If the OP ends up living in a cheap building, the cat can contribute by keeping the mice and rats out.
ShipComprehensive543@reddit
In most cases, no, its not enough. It will be very difficult for housing, food, utilities, etc.
ilovjedi@reddit
In Southern Maine that would be a stretch. Lot rent for some trailer parks here is getting close to $1000 a month. Would you be able to get a work study job at the university? You should make your cat work too.
Jolee5@reddit
There are cost of living maps by county and state you can check out
Not_Sure__Camacho@reddit
2k will barely cover rent in some places. And you may not like the area in those places. Your spouse may have to work more hours and you may have to do some part time work.
Outrageous-Proof4630@reddit
Will your spouse have her own visa that allows her to work? As someone who lives in an area with a lot of visa workers this definitely matters and they have gotten more expensive.
Minimum-Attitude389@reddit
If you're in the middle of nowhere Kansas, maybe. If you're in a major city, no.
The_Menu_Guy@reddit
What school will you go to?
Scary_Replacement_85@reddit
In New York, absolutely not, in bumfuck Kentucky, yes.
aachensjoker@reddit
That might cover an apartment, but thats about it.
I’m in NC. Cost of living is lower here. In a bigger city, that wont cover a place.
In bigger cities, your going to need your own part time job as well as a full-time position for your wife. Though, the later might be enough.
It sounds like a great experience. You might have to eat ramen for a while. But since tuition itself is expensive and covered, thats a big chunk dealt with. Since you have that covered, then its just living here.
I say go for it. Especially, if you want a Masters degree in another country.
allyache@reddit
No
flyingsqueak@reddit
Look at the housing near your university.
Most apartments require that your monthly income is at least three times the rent. If you can find an apartment for around $650 and you don't need a car to get to university, then $2000 a month could be fine. But there are very few places in the US where that is likely.
flyingsqueak@reddit
You can get an idea of local rent by searching on zillow.com
sighnwaves@reddit
No.
SpecialsSchedule@reddit
The United States is 50 states and 3,000+ miles. There are tens of thousands of cities. Hundreds of universities.
$2,000 in LA will not get you a hovel under a beige.
$2,000 in rural West Virginia could probably get you rent + groceries.
But $2k for two people is pretty tight.
_Smedette_@reddit
This is going to depend entirely on your location.
MadHats3@reddit
did you google what rent is in the area you're going to be studying?
Tight_Steak_232@reddit
It won't cover a shithole apartment in many cities, let alone food, living expenses, etc. If you're bringing a pet, most apartments charge about $100 or better more for it. Your spouse would definitely have to kick in a full-time job to make it work. That's doable if she has skills. If she's unskilled labor, she'll earn minimum wage without benefits.
RhinoPillMan@reddit
Highly depends on where you’re going to live. Given that it seems you’ll be in a college town, probably not, unless you, your spouse, and your cat live with roommates.
Also, most apartments require you to pay first, last, and security up front. So 3 months of rent to move in. Though some will allow you to pay first and security, or two months initial cost.
chickengruggets@reddit
It’s tight for two plus a cat
Tough_Extension_7190@reddit
Like others are saying it really depends on where. That would absolutely not work in NYC but you might be okay in more rural parts of the country.
Where are you going to be going to school?
UnicornScientist803@reddit
Where in the US?
MrLongWalk@reddit
It really depends where you live and the sort lifestyle you want to pursue
Prechrchet@reddit
Depends on where, and it depends on what kind of lifestyle you want. Cost of living varies greatly in this country.
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
You could make that work in some areas, but not even close to all.
Which university?
nygenxmom@reddit
It truly depends on where you live. There’s that much disparity across the country.
Vyce223@reddit
Unfortunately "US" is too broad to speak, I've seen places with that to be fine, but other places where i'd laugh you out of town for trying to get a studio alone at the price, forget eating.